Curved laser sheet for conformal optical diagnostics

• US 8,629,978 B1
• Filed: 01/05/2011
• Issued: 01/14/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 01/05/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: US Department of The Air Force (U.S. Department Of Defense)
• Original Assignee: United States Of America As Represented By The Secretary Of The Air Force
• Inventors: Estevadeordal, Jordi, Marks, Christopher, Sondergaard, Rolf, Wolff, James M.
• Primary Examiner(s): RATCLIFFE, LUKE D
• Application Number:
  US12/985,160
• Time in Patent Office: 1,105 Days
• Field of Search: 356 301- 315, 356 401- 41, 356 501- 515, 356 6- 22
• US Class Current: 356/28
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 5/001 Full-field flow measurement, e.g. determining flow velocity and direction in a whole region at the same time, flow visualisation
• CPC Class Codes: G01P 5/22 using auto-correlation or cross-correlation detection means

Abstract

Three-dimensional surface illumination using curved laser sheets is described for optical flow measurements over conformal curved surfaces. The illumination method is applicable to many different optical-based flow visualization and measurement techniques, particularly for particle image velocimetry. An alignment sheet increases the accuracy of determining the position and movement of particles used in optical-base fluid flow techniques.

Claims

1. Test apparatus components for fluid flow analysis, comprising:

(a) a laser light source;

(b) optical elements for shaping a beam of laser light into a curved light sheet; and

,

(c) an alignment sheet having at least part of its surface about the same shape as a light sheet to be later used for fluid flow analysis, the alignment sheet having a pattern on its surface for calibrating other fluid flow analysis test apparatus components for distance and position of particles to be later flowed through the light sheet.

2. A test apparatus component for fluid flow analysis over a surface, comprising an alignment sheet having at least part of its surface about the same shape as a laser sheet to be later used for fluid flow analysis, the alignment sheet having a pattern on its surface for calibrating other fluid flow analysis test apparatus components for distance and position of particles to be later flowed through the laser sheet.